Apple Boot Camp 1.3 beta updates drivers

Apple has released Boot Camp 1.3 beta, an updated version of the software that enables Intel-based Macs to run Windows. It’s available for download from Apple’s Web site now.

Still a free public beta from Apple at this point, Boot Camp emerged as one of the first ways Intel-based Macs could run Windows as well as Mac OS X. Since then commercial solutions have appeared, including Parallels Desktop for Mac, CrossOver Mac, VMware Fusion and TransGaming Cider. All leverage newer Macs’ Intel microprocessor architecture in order to run Windows or Windows applications or games much faster than was ever possible using emulation.

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Boot Camp 1.3 adds support for keyboard backlighting on MacBook Pros, and now supports Apple Remote pairing, updates graphics drivers, improves Boot Camp driver installation, improves international keyboard support, fixes localization issues, and updates Windows Help for Boot Camp.

Updating to the new version does not require you to repartition your hard drive or reinstall Mac or Windows software or documents, but you do need to update the Boot Camp Assistant software, create a new Mac Drivers CD and install the updated software it contains onto Windows.

System requirements call for an Intel-based Mac, Mac OS X v10.4.6 or later, the latest firmware updates, 10GB free hard disk space, a recordable CD or DVD, a printer for the instructions, and a “bona fide full version” of Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate.